Sitting on a Shelf, Feeling Sorry for Myself--Job's Third Response to Bildad--Part 3--Job 30

Job's long monologue in Job 26-31 continues. We are now ready for Job 30.

Job 30 stands in stark contrast to Job 29. In Job 29, Job longed for the "good old days." Then in Job 30, Job cries out--BUT NOW. In Job 30, Job bemoans his terrible circumstances NOW. These circumstances are the EXACT OPPOSITE of his FORMER DAYS.

There is a song which begins: Sitting on a Shelf, Feeling Sorry for Myself. I have tried to find this song, but so far I have been unsuccessful. If YOU know this song, PLEASE forward it to me. The thought is very similar to the feelings of Job here.

Job 30 falls into three parts.

I. Job claims that the lowest type of humanity mocks Job. Job 30:1-15.
a. People much younger than Job do not hesitate to "make sport of" Job, people that Job considers far below their fathers. They are convinced that Job is a terrible sinner, and thus is worthy of his suffering. Verses 1-2.
b. Job then turns to describe the wicked fathers of these younger people. They live like filthy wanderers. Society has driven them out. They have to live in deserted places. Yet, they are the children of those who mock Job. Verses 3-8.
c. Job's scorners "mock Job in song," spit at Job, rise against Job, promote Job's calamity, attempt to destroy Job's honor, and attempt to terrorize Job. Verses 9-15.

II. Job declares that God has become CRUEL to Job. Job 30:16-23.
a. "Days of affliction" come upon Job, night and day Job is in great pain, God seizes Job's garment and grasps Job "by the collar of Job's tunic," God has cast Job into the mire, Job pleads with God in prayer but God does not answer, God has "turned cruel to" Job and "persecuted" Job, God tosses Job about in "the roar of the storm," and God will bring Job to death. Verses 16-23.
b. When I think of the simile in verse 18b, I think of wearing a tie that is too close fit to the neck. This is so annoying and irritating. This is the way Job felt.

III. Job begs SOMEONE--ANYONE to come and help Job. Job 30:24-31.
a. Job proclaims that human beings just do not turn against the needy or ignore people in disaster. Rather, people naturally rush to help those in need. Job himself wept for those day was hard and grieved for the poor. But now, Job needs help, and no one will answer. Verses 24-26.
b. Job explains that he is in turmoil, encounters "days of affliction," "in the assembly cries out for help," is "a brother of jackals, a companion of ostriches," his skin turns black and falls from him, his bones ache, his lyre is turned into mourning and his pipe to the voice of those who weep. Verses 27-31.

After a long period of severe suffering, we all feel like Job expressed here. If YOU are in great distress right now, I pray that YOU will empathize with Job in Job 30. This is not pleasant, but often this is a means to healing.

What are YOUR thoughts? Share YOUR insights with others. Let me hear from YOU.

John Willis